The Milwaukee Mustangs completed their third consecutive consistent game of
steady defense and surgical offence to defeat the Pittsburgh Power to the delight
of the hometown fans at the Bradley Center. For the second consecutive game
erratic offensive play and misfortune haunted the Power who falls to 1-2.
Milwaukee's win was their second strait after a heartbreaking loss to start the
season in Arizona, and bring them to 2-1 overall.
Missed opportunities by the Power offence and efficiency by Milwaukee
quarterback Gino Guidugli marked the first half of action. After stopping the
Power on their first drive forcing a converted field goal attempt, Guidugli
orchestrated three strait touchdown-scoring drives including touchdown throws
to Jared Jenkins and Johnathan Wilson, and a quarterback keeper run. The
extra possession was courtesy of a Stull interception. Using Tyre Young and the
ground game, the Power stabilized the ship, and the two teams traded scores
until the Power missed another opportunity by failing in three attempts to score
in the final moments of the half. This final Milwaukee stop left the score 14-30
at the half.
Bill Stull and the Power looked to make their run as they took the field for the
second half, but more of the same ensued. A turnover on downs punctuated by
a big hit, which knocked Stull out of the game, was followed by a long drive to
the goal line by Milwaukee. A big hit by Larico Stevenson forced the fumble that
the Power desperately needed to build a comeback, but on Adrico Hines first
play under center, Marcus Everett picked him off on a short out pass and
returned it 8 yards for the touchdown putting the Mustangs up. The two teams
then traded touchdowns until under six minutes left in the game when a PJ
Berry touchdown was followed by a successful onside kick recovery and a quick
march up the field ending in a Lonnell Dewalt touchdown, shaving the Mustang
lead to 18 at 32-50. The Mustangs showed their poise from there on in and
closed out a 40-63 victory.
Top performers for the Power included Berry's catches for 104 yards, Dewalt's 7
catches for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns — including a 44 yarder, and Tyre Young
rushing 6 times for 46 yards and 2 touchdowns in his return to Milwaukee.
Defensively,
Gino Guidigli led the Mustangs with a steady 15/21 showing for 170 yards, 3
passing touchdowns, and 3 rushing touchdowns. Ryan McFoy led the defence
with 9 tackles.
The Power return home for "Military Appreciation Night", April 9th against the
Iowa Barnstormers at CONSOL Energy Center. Fans can win the limed edition
"camo" uniforms off the Power players' backs.
Current Record: 1-2, Fourth Place, American Conf./Eastern Division